Zaven Sargsyan: If Parajanov was alive, he would have been pleased with the museum

YEREVAN, JULY 23, ARMENPRESS:

The 20th anniversary of Sergey Parajanov’s museum will be marked July 27. A museum, the passed route, the coming programs of which are in the focus of people highly valuing Parajanov’s art. Armenpress news agency spoke with the director of the museum Zaven Sargsyan about the history of foundation of the museum, and the difficult route it passed.

- In your opinion, which is the secret of such attractiveness of the museum?

- First of all I think the reason of it is Parajanov’s personality, secondly, his art which symbolizes kindness and love with it being understandable to all the people of the world. His art was clearly described by renowned director, animator Yuriy Norshteyn who said “Parajanov materialized the spirit”. This is the secret. It is not accidental that the independent Republic of Armenia is also 20 years old: this museum is one of the biggest achievements of our Republic.

- During these 20 years the museum had about 60 exhibitions in different countries of the world. Which of them were particularly impressive? Where are you going to conduct the next exhibitions?

- In reality Parajanov’s exhibitions are more understandable in the post soviet countries, which is natural. The majority of works of Parajanov is agreed with the events taking place in the Soviet Union that is why very often people living outside of it do not understand it quite well. May be that is the reason why our best exhibitions were conducted in Moscow, Kiev, Petersburg, Tbilisi, but at the same time we had successful exhibitions in Paris, months ago in Serbia. In fall we are planning to conduct exhibition in a Canadian city of Monkton, in October in San Paulo, Brazil.

- Which is the greatest achievement of the museum during these 20 years?

- The biggest achievement for me is that this museum exists, works and everyday new people visit it. During these 20 years the museum worked everyday, on holidays and on Sundays, even during the reconstruction with the funds of the “Lincy” foundation. It is important for me that the museum opened and started working since 1991 during the difficult social-economic situation in Armenia.

- On the 17th year of the activity of the museum, together with L. Abrahamyan and A. Samuelyan, you have issued “Parajanov’s Kaleidoscope” album. How did this idea appear?

- The idea on creation of the album always existed. During that time the former ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan helped us. With the income received from selling the previous book without any assistance we managed to issue a smaller album which comprises the selected works of Parajanov. I think it will be of continuative nature as it promotes spreading of Parajanov’s art. The book is a remaining value and a way to present Parajanov’s art to the coming generations.

- I know that a number of traditions have been formed in the museum during the years. They have become a peculiar ticket of the museum. Will you tell about them?

- One of these traditions is hosting the top guests at Parajanov’s big table during which people taste special dishes Parajanov liked the most. With it they become not the guests of the museum but Parajanov’s as well. We say “Today you are the guests of Parajanov”. According to another tradition I have established, I take the photos of women visiting the museum with the hats made by Parajanov. Besides, once in a year, in fall, traditional “Fall evening” is conducted in the museum. It gathers friends of Parajanov and just different art figures.

- The museum has its web site parajanovmuseum.am. Does it have any role in propagating Parajanov’s art?

- This web site exists for about ten years, and I have many times been said that it is one of the web sites having the biggest number of visitors in Armenia. I very often praise the people working on the web site, but the success is registered thanks to Parajanov’s personality. The love and interest of people toward Parajanov brings people to the web site.

- Would Parajanov like the museum if he was alive?

- I think, yes, he would.